Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a small mixing bowl, sift together the flour and cocoa powder and set aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whip the butter with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract and mix until smooth. Next, add in the food coloring and stir until the mixture is red throughout.
4. Slowly, using the electric mixer to mix, add a little bit of flour into the other ingredients and mix until a cookie consistency forms, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Using a cookie scoop, scoop dough from bowl, roll into a ball between hands and then roll in the sanding sugar or the sprinkles.
6. Place parchment paper or aluminum foil down on cookie sheets and place balls of dough on sheet, about 2 inches from each out. Using the backside of a tsp measuring spoon, press down the middle of the cookie dough lightly to form an indentation where the icing will go.
7. Place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes.
8. While the cookies are baking, prepare the cream cheese icing. In a clean bowl, whip together the cream cheese, egg yolk, vanilla extract and the sugar until creamy smooth.
9. After 10 minutes, remove the cookies form the oven, use the back of the teaspoon again and lightly press the middle of the cookies again. Scoop 1 tsp of the cream cheese mixture and place in the center crevice of each cookie.
10. Place the cookies back in the oven and bake for an additional 12-15 minutes to set the cream cheese center.